Dr. Alis Anagnostakis is a group facilitator, coach, and adult development researcher walking the fine line between the study and the practice of leadership development and human transformation. Over the past 15 years, her work has focused on designing and implementing learning journeys that help foster leaders’ maturity and practical wisdom. She is also an ICF-accredited coach and coaching educator, training and mentoring professional coaches inside and outside organizations.

Alis' research centers on leaders’ consciousness transformation as they navigate long-form executive programs. As the founder of the Vertical Development Institute (VDI), Alis aspires to create a meeting place for the various schools of thought in the field. In working with leaders, teams, and organizations internationally, she hopes to make the practices of adult development ever more accessible at a time when mature leadership seems more needed than ever. She curates existing research on adult development and hosts a podcast as well!

Dr. Valerie Livesay explores the phenomenon of fallback­­––when, despite our optimal developmental capacities, what we often refer to as our developmental center-of-gravity—we make meaning, feel, and act from a smaller, less complex, less capable form of mind.

As Chief Illuminator at Ghost Light Leadership, Valerie accompanies individuals through their discovery of self, using the analogy of theater to set the stage for their historical and unfolding story. Through her writing, speaking, coaching, and workshop offerings, Valerie invites the many characters that comprise the full ensemble of one’s self to dance together to better meet their intentions. She is the author of Leaving the Ghost Light Burning: Illuminating Fallback in Embrace of the Fullness of You .


A Quote From The Episode

• "I deeply believe that I'm a learner alongside the people I support in my facilitation, and I'm very straightforward and open about that. I'm not there to teach anybody anything - I'm there to facilitate the process of harnessing the collective wisdom in the room."

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Book: Sand Talk by Yunkaporta
• Book: The Amen Effect by Brous
• Book: Corruptable by Klass

About The International Leadership Association (ILA)

• The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Plan for ILA's 26th Global Conference in Chicago, IL - November 7-10, 2024.

About Scott J. Allen

• Website
• Weekly Newsletter: The Leader's Edge

My Approach to Hosting

• The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic.